Klarinet Archive - Posting 000269.txt from 1996/08

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: ClarinetFest vs the OK conference
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 1996 13:57:01 -0400

Claudia,
You had some interesting observations. I aggree with all. I've
been to the clarinet conferences in Cinncinati, Minnesota, Denver, etc and
all were good, but they all lacked the things that you mentioned.
Try the Oklahoma clarinet conference in June. I've gone to that
conf. about 6 or 7 times and have always enjoyed it. In OK, all the
participants stay at two very close motels, anyone can play in a
masterclass (usually there are 2 to 3 masterclasses per day), there are
one or two lectures, it is much smaller (125-150) than the ClarinetFests,
and you can easily mingle with the artists. Dave Etheridge does a
fantastic job presenting the conference and the performers are all top
notich. OK can be hot in June, but everything in air conditioned.
One time I had dinner with Ricardo Morales and Tom Martin (BSO) and
talked shop, gossip, how to keep weight off, etc - where are you going to
get a chance to do that. Sometimes a mass clarinet choir is put together
that does a small concert during the conf. Everyone socializes at
breakfast, lunch, diner, and after the evening recitals.
I don't want to put down the ICA conference, but it seems to be too
large, and people can become stratified - college profs hang out with other
profs or pros, amateurs are on their own, etc. OK is a real mix. If you
see John Doe from the Intergalactic Symphony eating breakfast, all you do
is sit down introduce yourself, and start up a conversation. OK is an
event I'm always looking forward to. I've met many clarinetist at all
levels and struck up many lasting friendships there. Check it out!!!

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
Clarinet Instructor
Malone College
dap@-----.us

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